Clamp for curb form



g JNVENTOR 4 7' TORIVEYS iii S I so B @r2-@Jj Aug. 29, 1951 F.TORRI-:LLI

CLAMP FOR CURB FORM original FiledJulys, 1955 Divided and this a li ti688,983 pp ca on Oct 8, 1957, Ser. No.

1 Claim. (Cl. 25-118) This invention relates to a clamp for forms ormolds for the construction of poured concrete curbs.

'l'his application is a division of my copending applicatlon for curbform Serial No. 519,699 led July 5, 1955, now Patent No. 2,948,943.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a clamp for sectionalforms for poured concrete curbs which are easily assembled, are securelyheld together and are easily stripped from the curb when the concretecurb has set.

Another object is to provide a simple and easily applied and removedclamp for holding the main parts of curb form sections together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp for form sectionsfor making concrete curbs which is of rugged and durable construction,in particular to withstand the rough usage to which it is necessarilysubjected, and which are also inexpensive to maintain.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a transverse, sectional view through an assembled curb formconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the form assembled as shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the curb formassembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The concrete form to which the clamp of the present invention isapplied, is designed for use in the construction of curbs for streets,roads and the like. The form sections compose a mold adapted to bestaked to the ground and having an open bottom and top. The two sides ofthe curb are molded by form sections which are designed to be joined endto end to produce a curb of the desired length. Each section of the formcomprises as principal elements three rails, which are preferably sheetsteel channel members. In each form section, the rear face of the curb,i.e., the side remote from the road or street, is molded against asingle upright horizontal rail 20. On the front, each section of theform cornprises a lower horizontal rail 21 that is also preferablyupright and an upper horizontal rail 22 which rests on the rail 21 andis preferably inclined rearwardly.

The rear or back rail 2,0 comprises a web 23 having longitudinal top andbottom flanges 24 and 25, respectively. The outer edge of each of theflanges is preferablyturned vertically and inwardly as shown at 26 and27 to provide additional strength and rigidity for the channel memberand an end block 31 is secured, by suitable means such as welding,within the channels formed between the inturned edges 26 and 27 of theflanges 24 and 25' and the web 23 at one end of each of the rails 20.Each of the blocks 31 has a portion projecting longitudinally from thecorresponding end of the rail 20, the outer end of the projectingportion being beveled so as to be pointed, as indicated at 32, therebyto facilitate the insertion of this block -into the end of anothermating rail member 20. Each of the lower front channel members or rails21 can be of similar construction to the back rail 20, having a web 42and longitudinal topand bottom outwardly projecting lateral anges 43 and*44. The edges 46 and 47, respectively, of the flanges `43 and 44 areturned inwardly and preferamy @une with each other parallel to the web42- EMI ited States tent of the rails is also provided at one end withan end block 48 similar to the block 31, the outwardly extending portionof each block 48 being also pointed, as indicated at 49, to facilitateinsertion of this block into the next succeeding mating rail 21.

The curb form is shown as including a bracket or clip, indicated at 52,for receiving the stakes 54, these stakes being driven into the groundand cooperating with similar stakes 54 at the back of the form both tohold the form reliably positioned on the ground and also to hold thesections of the form in assembled and properly spaced relation to oneanother. Each stake bracket or clip 52 is secured to the end of the rail21 opposite its block 48 and within the channel provided by the web 42and the ilanges 43 and 44. It consists of an L-shaped bracket having aleg 55 which projects outwardly from the web 42 and a leg or dat nger 56extending from the outer edge of the leg 52' in a direction generallyparallel with the web 42. The bracket is provided with an attaching ange57 which can be secured, as by welding, to the front or channel face ofthe web A42. The leg or at finger 56 of the stake attaching bracket orclip 52 is set outwardly from the vertical plane of the llanges 46 and47 such distance that each stake 54 can be driven downwardly and haveone of its sides engaging the ilanges 46, 47 and its opposite sideengaging the leg or flat finger 56 of the bracket or clip 52. This litis preferably quite snug, in fact, it is desirable that the bracket 52be sprung outwardly slightly to accommodate the stake and for thispurpose, the outer yvertical extremity of the leg or at finger 56 ispreferably provided with an'outwardly curving lip 58 as best shown inFlG. 5.

The front surface of the concrete curb, according to the presentinvention, is also preferably formed with a rearwardly inclined topportion. The mold for this portion of the front surface is provided bythe upper front channel members or rails 22, each of which is ofgenerally similar form to the rails 20 and 21 and has a web 60,longitudinal top and bottom outwardly projecting flanges 61 and 62, theedges 63 and 64, respectively, of which are preferably turned inwardlyin opposed facing relation. Each rail 22' also preferably has a block 65welded in one of its ends and each block 65 has a pointed end 66projecting outwardly from its rail 22 and to be inserted into the end ofa succeeding mating rail 22. The bottoms of the channel members or rails22 rest on the tops of the lower front rails 21 and the rails 22 aresupported in the desired inclined position by a division and spacingplates 68 which are placed transversely between the front and rearchannels or ralis at regular intervals.

Each of the division plates 68 is preferably formed of sheet metal ofsubstantial thickness so as to be stiff and resist bending andthe mainportion of each plate is shaped as a rectangle with the upper front edgebeing inclined as best shown at 69, .at the angle desired for theinclined top of the curb. The length and width of the division plate arethe same as the height and thickness, respectively, of the concrete curbwhich is to be constructed. A tab or ear 70 can be formed lat the top ofeach of the division plates 68 and is shown as provided with a hole 7l.Each of the division plates 68 can also be provided on the upper rearedge thereofA with a block 72 of substantial size which projectsrearwardly from the plate and is adapted to rest on the upper flange 214of the rear rail 2@ to hold the division plate in proper position. Theblocks 72 are preferably rigidly attached, as by welding, to the upperedges of the division plates 68.

The rails 20, 211 are held against the rear and front sides of thedivision plates 68 by ties constructed as best shown in FIG. `6, theseties also holding each companion pair of stakes 54 against spreading orother displacement.

Each of these ties, indicated generally at 75, is in the form of a rigidmetal strap 77 having one end reversely bent to provide an end hook 76,this hook being of a size to embrace the corresponding stake 54, thelatter being shown as being round in cross section. The opposite end ofeach strap 77 is bent laterally to provide a flange 78 which extendsfrom the same side of the strap 77 as the hook 76. Each strap also haswelded thereto an L-shaped bracket 79, this bracket having a leg 80which is arranged in parallel spaced relation to the flange 78,. Thespacing of the leg 80 from the flange 78 is approximately equal to thethickness of each stake 54 and the llange 78 and leg 88 are providedwith alining holes 81 and 82, respectively. 'Ihese holes are arranged toreceive a tapered pin or nail 83. The tapered shank 84 of this pinenters the holes 81, 82 and forms a wedge or cam for wedging or carnmingthe corresponding stake 54 against the back of the tie '75. Tofacilitate removal, the pin or nail is provided with a. head 86.

The upper front channel members or rails 22, the flat webs 60 which formthe inclined` upper surface of the curb front, are held in positionagainst the inclined front edge portions 69 of the division plates 68 bymetal U/-clamps 85 embodying the present invention. Each clamp is madein the form vof a rigid metal strap and comprises a horizontal crosspart 87, a depending vertical rear leg 88 and a downwardly and forwardlyinclined front leg 89. It is an important feature of the invention thatthe lower extremity of the front leg 89 terminates in a reversely bentor hooked portion 98 which inclines downwardly and rearwardly, that is,downwardly and toward the rear leg 88. This leg 88 is disposedsubstantially perpendicularly to the cross part 87 while the other leg89 extends from` the cross part 87 at an obtuse included angle which ispreferably generally the same as the included angle to the verticalformed by the inclined edge portion 69 of each of the plates 68 andhence the included vertical angle of the rails 21 and 22.

In using the U-clamp 85, the rails 22 are placed in position with theirlower edge flanges 62 resting on top of the upper flanges 43 of thelower front rails 21, and the rails 22 are inclined rearwardly so as torest against the inclined edges 69 of the division and spacing plates68. The U-clamps 85 are placed over the tops of the rails 20 and 22,with a block 92, preferably of wood, placed in the channel of the rearsection` 28 to be engaged by the rear leg 88 of the U-clamp. The frontleg 89 of each U-clamp is then stressed lforwardly and the U-clamppushed down until its hook 90 passes below the flange 46 of the'lowerfront rail 21. This hook or reversely bent portion 90 springs into firmengagement with the ange 46 and extends thereunder so as to resist anytendency for the U-clamp to work itself upwardly due to its wedge shapedform.

In erecting or setting up curb forms as above described, the followingprocedure has been found convenient although other sequences of stepsmay be used.

A rear channel member or rail 20 and a lower, front channel member orrail 21 are placed on edge on the graded ground in upright spacedrelation and division plates 68 `are placed between them at suitableintervals with the yblocks 72 thereof resting on the top of the rm'l 28.Pairs of stakes 54 are then driven into the ground along the outer sidesof the front and rear rails 20 and 21. Each front stake is drivendownwardly in contact with the flanges 46 and 47 of the lower front rail21 and also in contact with the inner face of the leg or flat linger 56of the stake bracket 52 welded to one end of the lower front rail 21.Each rear stake 54 is driven to aline with its companion front stake 54and is driven downwardly in contact with the flanges 26 and 27 of thecorresponding back rail 20.

Each pair of stakes is then connected and alined with a tie 75. Thisconnection is quickly effected by hooking the hooked end 76 of the tieover one of these stakes and then swinging the tie horizontally to placethe companion stake 54 between the ange 78 and the leg 8l) of thebracket 79. Each tie is then latched by driving the wedge shank of thepin or nail shown in FIG. 7 through the holes 81, 82 so as to confinethe corresponding stake 54 in the hook provided by the llange 78 and leg8 0. Any irregularity in driving the stakes is overcome by therequirement that the front stake 54 be in contact with the ilanges 46and 47 of the lower front rails, this being assured by the stake bracket52, and by therequirement that the upper end of the rear stake 54 be incontact with the flanges 26 and 27 and also in proper position withreference to the companion front stake 54, this being assured by the tie75.

The upper front rails 22 are then placed on top of the lower front rails21 and are laid back so as to engage with the inclined edges 69 of thedivision plates 68. A wooden block 92 is then placed against the rearface of the web 23 of the rear rail 20 in line with the division plate68 and the rear leg 88 of a U-lamp 85 is placed against the inner faceof the block, projecting downwardly along the outer side of the backrail 20 across the upper flange 24 thereof. The front leg 89 of thisU-clamp is then stressed forwardly and the U-clamp pushed down to extendlengthwise of the inclined edge 69 of the adjacent spacing plate 68 `andalong the outer side of the inclined rail 22 and across both flanges 63and 64 thereof. When the hooked end 90 of the front leg passes below theflange 46 of the lower front rail 21, the U-clamp is released so thatthis hook 90 hooks under this flange 46, as best shown in FIG. l,thereby to prevent the U-clamp from working its way upwardly due to itswedge shaped form and its-inherent resiliency.

Concrete can then be poured in the mold provided by the assembled forms.When the concrete has taken its initial set, the U-clamps can be removedto permit taking olf the upper front rails 22 so that the upper yfrontand top of the concrete curb can be brushed and smoothed or finishedwhile the Concrete is still fresh. After the concrete has set, the wedgepins or nails 54 can be withdrawn from the holes 8l, 82 whereupon thetie bars 76 can be swung horizontally with the hooks 76 as a pivot,thereby to free the corresponding stake 54 from the llangc 76 and leg 8)of cach tie bar. Each tie bar 'I5 can then be moved longitudinally tofree its hooks 76 from the opposite stake.

With the rear rail 20 still in position, a tool can be inserted in thehole 711 of each division plate 68 and the flange 24 of the rail 20 usedas a fulcrum to draw the division plate upwardly. Following this, thestakes 54 can be pulled and the 4rails 20, 21 and 22 stripped from theform. ItA will be noted that the division plates 68 serve not only tospace the rails 20, 21 and 22 of the forms, but also provide expansionjoints at intervals along the length of the curb.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the legs of the U-clarnp 85insure that these clamps when applied as shown in FIG. l are securelyheld in position and will not work themselves up.

I claim:

In a form for concrete curbs or the like having a relatively highupright back rail, a relatively low upright front rail, a plurality ofspacing plates between said rails and each having an inclined edgeextending upwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of said frontrail, and an inclined rail disposed against said inclined edges of saidspacing plates and supported on said front rail, each of said railsbeing of channel form in cross section with its edge flanges projectingoutwardly; the combination therewith of U-clamps for holding all of saidrails against said spacing plate and each comprising` single strap ofmetal bent to provide a horizontal upper part, a vertical depending rearleg projecting downwardly along the outer side of .said back rail andprojecting across the upper flange of said back rail, a downwardly andforwardly inclined front leg projecting downwardly lengthwise of saidinclined edge of the adjacent spacing plate along the outer side of saidinclined -rail and across both the anges of said inclined rail, and ahook at the lower end of said front leg and extending downwardly andrearwardly to engage and extend under the upper flange of said frontrail, said hook being at an included obtuse angle to said front legwhich is generally the same as the included angle to the vertical formedby the inclined edge of each spacing plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS MeekFeb. 6, 19112 Wilson Mar. 16, 1915 Heltzel May 10, 1927 Eklof July 9,192,-9 Torrelli Sept. 23, 1952

